2013 in a nutshell

After recovering from my stroke in 2012 I was really optimistic that 2013 would be MY YEAR. My year to get my life back on track and live like a normal 25 year old. Little did I know that my battle had just begun. As I reflect back on how 2013 went I definitely have more downs than ups but there are also a lot of stand out moments that show my progress. It's the little moments that give me the motivation to keep going and restores my hope that things will get back to normal someday. I may never get back to my old self but being able to recreate old memories and moments even in a different capacity makes the fight worth it . I was able to go to a family friends wedding and even stand up long enough to dance the Cupid shuffle, watch my little cousin perform at an outdoor concert (the perfect venue to lay on a blanket and avoid any health issues),managed to sit outside and enjoy a few of my brothers baseball games, had a few nights out with friends,got to see family and friends from multiple states ,and this year I was able to actually enjoy holiday dinners with my family thanks to my recent POTS Treatment Regimen. My faith in humanity was validated when family,friends, and complete strangers donated over $10,000 in under a month so that I could participate in The POTS Treatment Center program and help pay medical expenses. My relationships with family and friends got even stronger and I started a new business venture selling Scentsy which has given me something to do and  has helped me with expenses while I'm on disability. I started my blog and have connected with some amazing bloggers.So, 2013 may not have been MY YEAR but I'm grateful for all of the opportunities that I've been given .  I hope you all had a great 2013 and an even better 2014!Click here to view my slideshow of 2013 highlights

Health Update #2

I got released from the hospital finally !In a nutshell, I had some sort of infection but the doctors weren't able to find the initial source . They did pretty much every test under the sun trying to figure out what was wrong . The only test that came back abnormal was the adrenal test. They found that I have adrenal insufficiency ,meaning my adrenal glands don't produce the right steroid hormones to help regulate blood sugars, fluid retention,sodium levels and other important functions. I will follow up with a endocrinologist when I get back to California and most likely start hormone replacement . BAD NEWS: another illness and another pill to deal with GOOD NEWS: adrenal insufficiency can usually be treated pretty easily . I was able to reschedule my missed appointments at the POTS Treatment Center so instead of leaving Saturday I will stay until Tuesday so I can get all caught up. I feel pretty good today and as a bonus ..... Its Queen Bey Day! This Beyonce album will be responsible for hours worth chair and car dancing , I can see it already . If you missed today's Foodie Friday post check it out. Sorry for the late post .Thank you guys for all of your prayers,support, and kind words :)

Treatment and health update

Usually I try to stay pretty positive and not post Debbie downer posts but it wouldn't be a true reflection of my treatment program if I didn't share it all with you . The first week at The POTS Treatment Center went flawlessly, no passing out , I was able to control my heart rate pretty well,and even had enough energy to go on a few outings (with the wheelchair of course). This week,not so much. Monday night my friend and I both came down with what we thought was food poisoning but it turned out to be some sort of flu / viral infection. Getting sick sent me into a downward spiral and after my chest pain and a Heart rate of 170 lasted for about half an hour even when lying down I decided to pack it up and head to the ER. The plan: get some fluids and go home . A few hours later the doctor came in to say that most of my electrolytes were depleted so they were going to replace them in iv form and send me home in a few hours . After the electrolytes were finished running the took a final ekg and discharge vitals but the EKG was abnormal and my vitals were all over the place oxygen saturation 83 (normal is a voice 92ish), blood pressure 75/51(normal is 120/90), and heart rate of 146 (normal is 60-90 although mine is always high when standing but usually in the normal range while lying). So needless to say ,they admitted me . Yesterday and today I have been spiking fevers and my blood pressure is still pretty low so they are going to be keeping me for at least another night, which means I will miss another day of treatment :/ Hopefully I will get out of here tomorrow so I can double up on my sessions at the POTS Treatment Center. That's all for now but I will keep you all updated .